In limiting the Sox to four hits en route to his first career shutout, Guthrie improved his record to 3-0 against the Sox with an 0.40 ERA in six starts since joining the Royals last August.

"He was throwing strikes, and there were a couple of little rollers or plays that they made plays on," Ventura said. "It was quick, it was (Greg) Maddux-like. He was going for the two-hour mark."

Guthrie retired the leadoff batter in every inning while needing only 106 pitches for his fifth career complete game in 2 hours, 18 minutes. Guthrie thanked catcher Salvador Perez for adjusting to the Sox hitters.

"When they're aggressive, (Perez) seems to know," Guthrie said. "He calls something off-speed. It's just that kind of flow to the game that we've been able to have."

The Sox's aggressive approach resulted in coaxing only one walk from Guthrie while Paul Konerko had the only two hits off of him through the first seven innings, including a double with two out in the fourth that represented the Sox's best scoring opportunity.

But third base coach Joe McEwing elected to hold the lumbering Dunn at third as second baseman Chris Getz took the relay throw in shallow right-center field. The rally ended when Conor Gillaspie struck out.

"I don't care if I'm on first or second, I try to go until I'm held up," Dunn said. "Obviously, Joe has a better view of it than I did. I run until I'm told to stop."

Dylan Axelrod was the victim of not getting any run support after he gave up a two-run triple to Lorenzo Cain with two out in the first that eluded the outstretched glove of right fielder Alex Rios.

The rally started when Axelrod, who hadn't hit a batter in his first 271/3 innings, hit an upset Billy Butler with a pitch.

"Who knows what would have happened if I didn't hit (Butler)," Axelrod said.

With a 2.77 ERA in his last four starts, Axelrod has made a strong case to stay in the rotation when left-hander John Danks is expected to return near the end of May.

Regardless of how the rotation is shaped, the Sox will need plenty of starting pitching in the upcoming months. Their April 19 game against Minnesota that was postponed because of cold weather will be rescheduled for Aug. 9 as a split doubleheader, and their April 23 game with the Indians that was postponed because of rain will be rescheduled for June 28 as part of a straight doubleheader, starting at 4:10 p.m.